Gen Z is entering the workforce on its own terms, and increasingly, according to a report by Fortune, that means turning down jobs that don’t align with their values.

A recent survey from United Way of the National Capital Area found that 53% of Gen Zers would reject a job offer if the employer’s mission didn’t match their sociopolitical beliefs. That number outpaces all other generations—and speaks volumes about what this cohort expects from employers in a turbulent world. 

For Gen Z, ethical alignment isn’t a bonus—it’s a prerequisite. This generation, shaped by economic instability, student debt and political unrest, is demanding both fair compensation and purpose.

“It’s really hard to have to keeping x’ing jobs because so many places feel unethical,” said NYU graduate Sade Collier to Fortune, describing how even seemingly progressive companies can fall short upon closer inspection.

This mindset is already impacting professions like accounting, where firms face pressure to evolve In a recent CPA Roundtable published in The Trusted Professional (see page 16), leaders emphasized that firms must show a real commitment to diversity and inclusion—not just to attract talent, but to retain it.

As J. Michael Kirkland, past President of NYCPA, noted, “Young professionals today are informed…If they see firms rolling back diversity initiatives, they will take their skills elsewhere.”